June 12, 2007

To strengthen controls on the export of surplus parts for F-14 fighter aircraft.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON SALE BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF PARTS FOR F-14 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Department of Defense is responsible for demilitarizing and auctioning off sensitive surplus United States military equipment.

(2) F-14 `Tomcat' fighter aircraft have recently been retired, and their parts are being made available by auction in large quantities.

(3) Iran is the only country, besides the United States, flying F-14 fighter aircraft and is purchasing surplus parts for such aircraft from brokers.

(4) The Government Accountability Office has, as a result of undercover investigative work, declared the acquisition of the surplus United States military equipment, including parts for F-14 fighter aircraft, to be disturbingly effortless.

(5) Upon the seizure of such sensitive surplus military equipment being sold to Iran, United States customs agents have discovered these same items, having been resold by the Department of Defense, being brokered illegally to Iran again.

(6) Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, and the Department of State has identified Iran as the most active state sponsor of terrorism.

(7) Iran continues to provide funding, safe haven, training, and weapons to known terrorist groups, including Hizballah, HAMAS, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

(8) The sale of spare parts for F-14 fighter aircraft could make it more difficult to confront the nuclear weapons capability of Iran and would strengthen the ground war capability of Iran. To prevent these threats to regional and global security, the sale of spare parts for F-14 fighter aircraft should be prohibited.

(b) Prohibition on Sale by Department of Defense-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in paragraph (2), the Department of Defense may not sell (whether directly or indirectly) any parts for F-14 fighter aircraft, whether through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service or through another agency or element of the Department.

(2) EXCEPTION- Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to the sale of parts for F-14 fighter aircraft to a museum or similar organization located in the United States that is involved in the preservation of F-14 fighter aircraft for historical purposes.

(c) Prohibition on Export License- No license for the export of parts for F-14 fighter aircraft to a non-United States person or entity may be issued by the United States Government.